Program Overview

Foundation Studies prepares you for a successful transition to degree-level study, providing a pathway to the first year of study of a bachelor’s degree at Murdoch University.

This course is suited to you if you:

• Need an entrance qualification for Murdoch University
• Want to accelerate your university preparation after Year 11, or equivalent
• Want to change your degree stream after Year 11, or equivalent

Course Structure
For Foundation Studies you will complete eight units over two study periods, studying a combination of core and elective units. The units you will undertake will be determined by your chosen degree. All students must complete the two English units and at least one unit from each Discipline Group.

Each unit of study builds concepts from an introductory level through to university entrance level. The units are designed to develop your learning techniques as well as bridging gaps in your unit knowledge.

• English
  • Essential Australian Studies
  • Introduction to Academic Communication
• Mathematics
  • Introductory Mathematics
  • Mathematics for Science
• Science and Technology
  • Information Technology for Academic Studies
  • Computer Science
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Biology
• The Arts
  • Introduction to Media
  • Media Production
• Business and Legal Studies
  • Accounting
  • Management
  • Economics

Leading to: Bachelor of Arts
Develop the kind of communication, creative-thinking and interpersonal skills that will make you highly employable across a range of careers.

You could be a tourist in your own city to get a new perspective. You could study community development or international aid – or learn to put your creative thinking to work for government agencies, corporations or organisations anywhere in the world.

The Bachelor of Arts embraces new directions in teaching and practice-based learning to train the thinkers and researchers of the 21st century. Many of the biggest and most vital issues we face today are about human society and the human condition. How can we understand who we are, how we want to live, or what kind of society we want to create, without the insights, knowledge and skills provided by the humanities?

Major: Sociology
In an increasingly complex global world, understanding social change and your part in this is of vital importance. With this in mind, Sociology provides you with knowledge that is academically sound, socially useful and vocationally relevant. Central to how we practice Sociology at Murdoch is our interest in developing pioneering ways of understanding the dynamic relationship between individuals and the global societies they are part of.

On top of exploring the patterns, ideas and findings of Sociology in various texts you will be encouraged to think as an active sociologist.Sociology helps us to grasp the connections between the personal and the social in a global context. It helps us understand how changes in the structure of society, the material world (eg. technology), the economy, cultural systems of beliefs and values, and access to power, influence us as members of society.

Sociology is particularly interested in class, gender, ethnicity, and religion. Sociological knowledge and skills are increasingly important in a wide range of professions and occupations, and provide a broader perspective for understanding the world.

3 reasons to study Sociology at Murdoch

• Learn how changes in the structure of society, cultural systems of beliefs and values, and access to power can influence us as members of society.
• You’ll create an e-portfolio of your work to showcase to employers when you graduate.
• Combine your degree with up to two minors in Anthropology, Community Development or Australian Indigenous Studies. You could also study two majors in 3 years and graduate with 2 specialisations, further enhancing your career prospects.

What you'll learn

Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn:

• The relationship between religions and society
• The way class, religion, gender, ethnicity and other factors impact on young people’s identity and sense of belonging
• The role of health and illness in society, and everyday life
• How social, economic and cultural factors underpin our global food system and our own food choices
• How the social world influences your personal identity